harry winston

Description

Shanghai is about 6400 miles from California and is the largest city in the People's Republic of China. with over 23 million people it is the largest city in the world. Located on the East Coast of China at the mouth of the Yangtze River it is also the busiest container port in the world. The Peninsula Hotel is a five-star luxury hotel on the Bund. In Asia the number 4 is considered an unlucky number and if a hotel has a 4th floor, like a 13th floor in the West, people don't like to stay on it. The number four is very similar to the word for death. But if you stay on the 4th floor (or any floor with the number 4 in it) chances you see more Westerners than Asians. Red is considered a lucky color in China. At one time wedding dresses were in red. Shanghai grew from a fishing village and textile town to an economic powerhouse because of the port. After the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 the city grew and by the 1930s was the financial center of the Asia Pacific region. It is rich with tourist attractions from the Bund with its historic buildings to the Pudong across the river with its futuristic skyline. They have a joke around Shanghai --- what is the city's national bird ... the crane. As in construction cranes. In the past two decades Shanghai has been one the fastest growing cities in the world. Last year the city's GDP grew to $297 billion May is an ideal time to visit Shanghai as the temperatures mid-70s. July is usually the most hot and humid in the low 90s and the coolest month is January with temperatures dipping into the low 30s. In the early morning dozens of men can be seen flying kites along the Bund. Some are simple while other are exotic -- even resembling dragons - a favorite symbol in China. Watching groups of Chinese practicing tai chi in white silk pajamas along the Bund is impressive. Others jog by in a display of stamina and determination. There are also morning sword exercises but don't give them too much coffee with that pointed weapon swinging around! Where is Jackie Chen when you need him?! The Bund is eye candy for those fond of historic architecture. The Astor House Hotel opened in 1846 was said to be the first Western hotel in China. It moved next to Garden Bridge in 1857. Guests have included Einstein and Charlie Chaplin. The Sasson House built in 1926 --- No relation to the If you don't look good - we don't look good - Sasson. Although in this beautiful building which is now a Fairmount Hotel - everything looks better. There is Lalique glass artwork and stunning architectural details throughout. The Yuyuan Market is a popular tourist shopping center was originally know for its 15 century temple, The City God Temple. Today lots of Chinese arts and crafts. With over 100 shops and restaurants -- many familiar Western brands from Starbucks to Dairy Queen. The Chinese claim that ice cream was invented in China about 2000 BC when Chinese packed a soft milk and rice mixture in the snow. Long ago silk making was a closely guarded secret in China. Anyone who gave the secret away could be punished by death. Gossip Girl's Leighton Messter and Ed Westwick were at the opening of the new Harry Winston store in Shanghai -- the largest store of the group. Ed's Gossip Girl character, Chuck Bass, proposed to Blair Waldof with a Harry Winston 8 ct diamond ring set in platinum. Following the opening ceremony, a gala dinner was held on the Taiping Lake nearby. Featured was a stunning fashion show, with models draped in diamonds from Harry Winston's Ultimate Adornments collection, and Chinese traditional dresses custom designed by Judy Hua, one of the most promising fashion designers in China. A special performance by top Asian pop singer Jay Chou, who dazzled the audience as he played from his famed white piano, singing the songs that showed his distinguished talent in integrating western elements with traditional Chinese music. About an hour and a half drive from Shanghai is Benh...